Poole Lifeboat Station

Poole Lifeboat Station
Flag of the RNLI
The boathouse and crew building in 2024
Poole Lifeboat Station is located in Dorset
Poole Lifeboat Station
Location within Dorset
General information
TypeLifeboat station
LocationThe Bridge House, The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, England
Coordinates50°42′46″N 1°59′32″W / 50.7127°N 1.9921°W / 50.7127; -1.9921
Opened1865 at Sandbanks
1882 at Fisherman's Dock
1974 at Lilliput Marina
1989 at Poole Bridge
Owner Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Website
Poole RNLI Lifeboat Station

Poole Lifeboat Station can be found next to the lifting bridge on The Quay at Poole, a harbour town overlooking Brownsea Island and Poole Harbour, in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England.

Atlantic 85 Sgt Bob Martin (Civil Service No.50) (B-826)

A lifeboat was first stationed at Sandbanks in 1865 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The present station was opened in 1988.

D-class (IB1) Gladys Maud Burton (D-804)

The station currently operates two inshore lifeboats, a B-class (Atlantic 85), Sgt Bob Martin (Civil Service No.50), (B-826), on station since 2008, and the smaller D-class (IB1), Gladys Maud Burton, (D-804), on station since 2017.[1]

History

"As there was no life-boat establishment between Lyme Regis on that coast and the Isle of Wight, and as wrecks attended with danger to the crews must be liable to occur to vessels in making for Poole Harbour, or from their parting their cables if anchored in the Bay, it was considered that a life-boat might advantageously be placed at Poole, especially as the pilots and fishermen had represented that they had frequently undergone great risk in rescuing the crews of stranded vessels."[2]

The first boathouse was built in 1865 on a site granted by Sir Ivor Guest, Bt, at Sandbanks, by the narrow entrance to Poole Harbour. Each time the lifeboat was required, the crew had to be collected by horse-drawn coach from the Antelope Hotel in the High Street and taken to Sandbanks.[3][4]

A 32-foot-long (9.8 m) self-righting 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat was constructed by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, at a cost of £210, and transported to Poole free of charge by the London and South Western Railway. The station and lifeboat was funded by the donation of £500 from an anonymous lady, and at a grand ceremony in Poole on 19 January 1865, the lifeboat was named Manley Wood, before being launched on demonstration.[2]

In 1882 a new boathouse was built on land leased from Poole Corporation on the Fisherman's Dock at the east end of Poole Quay. A dedicated slipway was built in front of the boathouse in 1897 as the public slipway was often blocked by other boats. In 1887 a flagstaff had been erected so that messages could be exchanged with Sandbanks. At this time the crew was summoned to launches by a signal rocket. In 1892 this was changed to a signal mortar but this reverted to rockets in 1914 as the mortar being discharged could be mistaken for an explosion at the nearby gas works.[4]

Thomas Kirk Wright (ON 811)

The last 'pulling and sailing' lifeboat at Poole, Harmar (ON 608), was withdrawn in 1939. It was replaced by a Surf-class motor lifeboat, Thomas Kirk Wright (ON 811), built by Groves and Guttridge of Cowes, at a cost of £3,337, and funded from the legacy of Mr T. K. Wright.[5][6]

On 30 May 1940, Thomas Kirk Wright sailed to Dunkirk as one of boats summoned for Operation Dynamo, and was the first of 19 lifeboats to arrive there. It was crewed by the Royal Navy but was damaged by enemy fire. After repairs, a second trip across the channel was made on 2 June 1940, before eventually returning to normal duties at Poole.[4]

An inflatable Inshore Rescue Boat was placed on station in 1964 but withdrawn in 1970, although by this time a 'Dell Quay Dory' was also in use. After a succession of 'rigid-hull' Inshore lifeboats, the last one, a Boston Whaler Outrage, Sam and Iris Coles (A-513), was withdrawn from service in 1994, replaced initially by a B-class (Atlantic 21) Rigid inflatable boat, and a new B-class (Atlantic 75) Inshore lifeboat in 1995.[4]

Tyne-class lifeboat 47-023 City of Sheffield (ON 1131)

The boathouse at Fisherman's Dock was closed in 1974 and a new station opened with the Poole Harbour Yacht Club at Lilliput Marina.

Another move came in 1989 when the lifeboat was moved back to Poole Quay, but this time at the west end beneath Poole Bridge. The following year new crew facilities and storerooms were constructed by adding a two-storey extension to the police office on Poole Quay.

In 1994 a floating boathouse was placed next to the lifeboat mooring for the new ILB that took up service at Poole the following year.[4]

In November 2016, with the advent of 25 knot boats at flanking stations, the RNLI decided to withdraw the All-weather lifeboat 47-023 City of Sheffield (ON 1131) from Poole, and stationed a D-class inflatable to work alongside the existing Atlantic 85.[4]

Description

The crew facilities and storeroom occupies one part of a larger brick-built building facing the water on Poole Quay. The upper floor is set into the roof with a large window overlooking the lifeboat's pontoon. The floating boathouse for the ILBs is moored alongside this pontoon adjacent to the Lifting Bridge.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum

Former Lifeboat House, now Lifeboat Museum

A year after the boathouse at Fisherman's Dock was closed in 1974, it became an RNLI museum. It was handed to the council in 1991.[4]

The centre-piece of the museum is the Surf-class lifeboat Thomas Kirk Wright (ON 811), on loan from the National Maritime Museum. It was the station's first motor lifeboat, built in 1939, and had operated out of this station until it was withdrawn in 1962. In 1940 it had been one of the lifeboats involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.[7][8]

Station honours

The following are awards made at Poole:[4][9]

  • RNIPLS Silver Medal
    George Barnes – 1824
    Stephen Curtis – 1824
    Lt. Joseph Elwin, RN – 1825
    Lt. Thomas Parsons, RN – 1853
  • RNLI Silver Medal
    The Right Hon. The Viscount Bury, MP – 1868
    Charles Pride – 1868
    Richard Stokes, Coxswain – 1882
  • The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
    Richard Wills, Coxswain – 1906
    Thomas Wills – 1906
    John Wills – 1906
    Richard Cartridge – 1906
    Henry Russell – 1906
    David Coles, crew member – 1986
    Steven Vince, crew member – 1986
    Raymond Collin, crew member – 1986
  • A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
    Steve Vince, Coxswain – 1995
    Robert Doak, crew member – 1995
    Geoffrey Langley, crew member – 1995
    Gavin McGuiness, Helm – 2001
    Anne Millman, crew member – 2001
    Paul Savage, crew member – 2001

Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving at Poole:[4]

  • Run over by the lifeboat carriage, whilst getting out after an exercise on 9 October 1884
    James Hughes, crew member (30)

Poole lifeboats

Pulling and sailing lifeboats

On station[10] ON[a] Name Built Class Comments[11][12]
1865–1879 Pre-425 Manley Wood 1864 32-foot Prowse Self-righting (P&S) [Note 1]
Renamed Joseph and Mary in 1879.[13]
1879–1880 Joseph and Mary [Note 2]
Sold in 1880 and broken up.
1880–1882 188 Joseph and Mary 1880 34-foot Self-righting (P&S) [Note 3]
Renamed Boy's Own No. 2 in 1882.
1882–1896 Boy's Own No. 2 [Note 4]
Sold in 1896.
1897–1910 316 City Masonic Club 1892 38-foot Watson (P&S) [Note 5]
Transferred to the Relief fleet. Sold in 1918.
1910–1939 608 Harmar 1910 37-foot 6in Self-righting (P&S) [Note 6]
Sold in 1939.

Motor lifeboats

On station[14] ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built Class Comments
1939–1962 811 — Thomas Kirk Wright 1939 Surf Sold in 1964. Now on display in the Old Lifeboat House at Poole.[15]
1962–1969 891 — Bassett-Green 1951 Liverpool Previously at Padstow. Sold in 1969. In private ownership as Bassett-Green at Campbeltown, June 2024
1969–1971 873 — George Elmy 1950 Liverpool Capsized on service at Seaham on 17 November 1962 with nine lives lost. Sold in September 1972. Restored to original condition and on display at Seaham Harbour from July 2013.[16]
1971–1974 872 — J. B. Couper of Glasgow 1949 Liverpool Previously at St Abbs, Kirkcudbright and Youghal. Sold February 1976. Renamed Etoile Du Nord (GU 5045). On display outside the Peninsular Hotel, Vale, Guernsey, December 2025.
1974–1983 1029 44-011 Augustine Courtauld 1974 Waveney Transferred to the Relief fleet, later at Troon
1983–2001 1089 33-07 Inner Wheel 1983 Brede Transferred to Calshot.
2001–2016 1131 47-023 City of Sheffield 1988 Tyne Sold in 2017. Now preserved at the National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield.
More post-service details can be found on the respective lifeboat class pages.

Inshore lifeboats

A-class

On station[17] Op. No.[b] Name Class Comments
1967–1969 18-03 Unnamed A-class (Hatch) Renumbered A-2 in 1972
1969–1972 17-003 Unnamed A-class (Dory) Renumbered A-502 in 1972.
1971 18-02 Unnamed A-class (McLachlan) Renumbered A-503 in 1972
1972–1973 A-500 Unnamed A-class (Dory) Previously Op.No. 17-001
1974–1975 A-501 Bob Abbott A-class (Dory) Previously Op.No. 17-002
1975–1985 A-502 Unnamed A-class (Dory) Previously Op.No. 17-003.
1985–1994 A-513 Sam and Iris Coles A-class (Boston Whaler)

D-class

On station[18] Op. No.[b] Name Class Comments
1965–1967 D-69 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
1967–1970 D-46 Unnamed D-class (RFD PB16)
D-class withdrawn 1970–2016
2016–2017 D-798 John Wickens D-class (IB1)
2017– D-804 Gladys Maud Burton D-class (IB1)

B-class

On station[19] Op. No.[b] Name Class Comments
1975 B-8 Unnamed B-class Trial boat
1977 B-8 Unnamed B-class Trial boat
1994–1995 B-548 Aldershot B-class (Atlantic 21)
1995–2008 B-710 Friendly Forrester II B-class (Atlantic 75)
2008 B-736 Toshiba Wave Warrior B-class (Atlantic 75)
2008– B-826 Sgt Bob Martin
(Civil Service No.50)		 B-class (Atlantic 85)
  1. 1 2 ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m) x 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) (10-oared) Prowse-class self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of an anonymous lady, built by Forrestt of Limehouse, London, costing £210.
  2. ↑ Legacy of Mrs Boetefeur of London.
  3. ↑ 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m) x 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) (10-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mrs Boetefeur of London, built by Woolfe of Shadwell, London, costing £363.
  4. ↑ Gift of the Boys Own LB fund.
  5. ↑ 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m) x 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) (12-oared) Watson-class non-self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, gift of the Freemasons of the City of London, built by D. and W. Henderson and Company of Partick, costing £924.
  6. ↑ 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m) x 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (12-oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, legacy of Mr G. J. Harmar of London, built by Thames Ironworks of Blackwall, London, costing £1,086.

References

  1. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. p. 111.
  2. 1 2 "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Life-boat. V (58): 728. 2 October 1865. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Summary of the Meetings of the Committee". The Life-boat. V (54): 528–529. 1 October 1864. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Poole's station history". Poole Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, p. 32.
  6. ↑ Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Lifeboats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. p. 35.
  7. ↑ "Poole Old Lifeboat Museum". Royal Museums Greenwich. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 32–33.
  9. ↑ Cox, Barry (1998). Lifeboat Gallantry. Spink & Son Ltd. ISBN 0907605893.
  10. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 10–41.
  11. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2025, pp. 10–41.
  12. ↑ Farr, Grahame; Morris, Jeff (1992). List of British Lifeboats Part 1 & 2 (Second ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 23, 43, 50, 55.
  13. ↑ "Additional Stations and New Life-Boats". The Life-Boat. V (58): 728. 1865.
  14. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 32–49.
  15. ↑ "Thomas Kirk Wright". The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "National Register of Historic Vessels – George Elmy". National Historic Ships UK. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  17. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 83–84.
  18. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 69, 81.
  19. ↑ Leonard & Denton 2026, pp. 63–66, 84.
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